Bob Turner, the Republican candidate to fill Anthony Weiner's seat in Congress, continues to use 9/11 as a campaign tactic as if he were Rudy Giuliani (who, incidently, endorsed him). Turner's newest tactic? Complain about how the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act went too far. And he's still against the "Ground Zero Mosque." more ›

Yesterday, President Obama signed the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act into law, ensuring that first responders to the September 11, 2001 attacks at the World Trade Center would receive $1.5 billion in health benefits and $2.7 billion in compensation. Obama, who signed the bill from his vacation home in Hawaii, said in a statement that it was an honor to sign the bill, "We will never forget the selfless courage demonstrated by the firefighters, police officers and first responders who risked their lives to save others. I believe this is a critical step for those who continue to bear the physical scars of those attacks." more ›

After Jon Stewart very publicly went after lawmakers pussyfooting around the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act (see here and here), we can't say we were too surprised to see the seemingly dead bill jump back to life before Congress finished its lame duck session. You might even say we were overjoyed. But boy do we wish it didn't mean another round of "does this mean Jon Stewart isn't a comedian?" more ›

To the joy of Jon Stewart (presumably) and many a New Yorker it appears that the Senate really is going to vote on the 9/11 Health Bill, AKA the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, either tomorrow or Wednesday. The vote comes after its supporters, NY Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, managed to cut the cost of the bill from $7.4 billion down to $6 billion. But how'd they do that? more ›

After Republican Senators filibustered the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act because, well, they wanted to make sure they got their $900 billion in Bush tax cuts, there's been a determined push to get the legislation passed before the end of this year. Now New York's Democratic Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Charles Schumer say they believe there are enough votes from Republicans to pass a less expensive, $6 billion version of the bill. more ›

Last week, Senator John "Maybe Maverick" McCain (R-Arizona) was kind of dismissive to a 9/11 first responder who would really love some Republican support for the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act. Last night, McCain was kind of dismissive about Democrats' efforts to try to give $7.4 billion in benefits to first responders and survivors; when arguing against time limits for discussing the START Treaty, "To have a time agreement after all of the fooling around that we’ve been doing on ‘DREAM’ Act, on New York City … we will not have a time agreement from this side.” Naturally, that set off Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY). more ›

Last night, Jon Stewart dedicated his final Daily Show of 2010 to the languishing James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act. It's believed that the bill, which has passed the House (not without shouting) but was filibustered by the GOP in the Senate, has its last shot this year, because next year the House goes to the Republicans. Last week, Republicans Senators complained that tax cuts needed to take precedence; now that the tax cut plan has passed both houses, Republican Senators have objected to the voting on the bill again because the vote might take place between Christmas and New Year's. So Stewart, like he did earlier this week, took lawmakers—and conservative pundits—to task for seemingly abandoning 9/11 first responders. more ›

Last night, the Daily Show took up the Senate's failure to pass the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, which would have given $7.4 billion to Ground Zero first responders and their survivors. Jon Stewart asked, "Since when do Republicans make 9/11 first responders stand over in the corner with the gays and Mexicans?" more ›

Forty-one Republican Senators voted against the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, which would have provided $7.4 billion in health care and compensation to 9/11 responders and their survivors. According to the AP, "The bill failed on a test vote, 57-42. Fifty-seven Democrats voted for the bill and 41 Republicans opposed it. Sen. Harry Reid, the Democratic leader, switched his vote to 'no' at the last moment, a parliamentary move that allows him to bring the measure up again for a vote." And the GOP refused because they want the Bush tax cuts extension passed first. Now we know: Money for millionaires > 9/11 first responders. more ›

As the 9/11 Health and Compensation act comes closer to cloture in the Senate, the deadly Ground Zero environment at the heart of the debate has reared its ugly head again. Retired Detective Kevin Czartoryski passed away on Sunday. Lung cancer, which he developed after working at ground zero, is the presumed cause of death. The detective, who worked in the Narcotics Division and in the Hate Crimes Task Force before moving to the press office after 9/11, gained distinction as a liaison between the NYPD and the city's LGBT community. He was 46. more ›

After years and years, the House of Representatives was finally able to pass the James Zadroga 9/11 Heath and Compensation Act in September. But now the worry is that the Senate will not have enough votes to pass the bill, which sets aside $7.4 billion for medical treatment and compensation to those sickened by the toxic conditions at Ground Zero after the World Trade Center attacks. One man, a tow truck driver who removed damaged FDNY vehicles from the wreckage and lost 30% of his lung capacity, tells the Daily News that Senator John McCain basically snubbed him. more ›

A few of New York's notably passionate members of Congress say the Senate must pass the 9/11 Health and Compensation Act soon. The Daily News explains, "The reason is simple: Just 17 Republicans voted for the $7.4 billion James Zadroga Health and Compensation Act when it passed in the House." If the Senate fails to pass it, then the House has to start again, and by that time, it will be a Republican-controlled House. Rep. Peter King (R-LI) said, "Right now, it's now or never for the 9/11 bill," while Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-Queens) said, "If we're not able to pass the 9/11 bill in the lame duck, I think the reasonable conclusion is it's dead." more ›

The House of Representatives passed the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act by a vote of 268 to 160 two months after failing to pass the bill in a rancorous session. The act will "exposed to toxins released by the collapse of the World Trade Center towers" and also reopens the federal Victim Compensation Fund, according to Rep. Carolyn Maloney's office. Maloney, the Democrat who co-sponsored the bill with Reps. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Peter King (R-NY), and Michael McMahon (D-NY), said, "To the living victims of 9/11, we have good news: help is on the way. Today, the House answered the emergency calls of thousands of ailing 9/11 first responders and survivors. Our bill provides proper care to those who lost their health because of the 9/11 attacks and demonstrates that we will not abandon those who come to aid of our nation in times of crisis." more ›

In July, when the 9/11 health and compensation bill was up for a vote under "absolute majority rules," it failed to pass, enraging New York's Congressional members. Now the bill will be up for another vote this month. Reps. Carolyn Maloney and Jerry Nadler said yesterday, "We have talked to the Democratic leadership and they have told us that the 9/11 Health and Compensation Act will be brought to the House floor soon after Congress returns from recess.  We anticipate that the bill will be taken up the second week we are back in session and will be considered under regular order, with the expectation and belief that neither side will play politics with this vitally-important legislation." more ›

After 9/11 responders voiced their frustration at President Obama's apparent lack of support for the 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, the White House now says he's on board, "The president looks forward to signing the 9/11 health bill into law, once it passes both houses of Congress, to help the first responders whose health and livelihood were devastated by the events of September 11th." The bill failed in a House vote made infamous by Rep. Anthony Weiner's tirade at Republicans. First responder John Feal now says, "I think it's great that the president says he will sign our bill. But is he going to actively pursue members of the House and the Senate to push the bill forward?" Isn't the question, "Will the GOP sign on?"? more ›